Justification:
This species is restricted to southern California, Baja California, and the Gulf of Mexico, and is important in recreational fisheries. Populations in California appear to be stable given the closure of the commerical fishery and implementation of catch size limits in recreational fisheries. Furthermore, this species is expected to benefit from the implementation of a system of effective no-take Marine Protected Areas in Southern California. It is listed as Least Concern. However, given that it is still heavily fished in many parts of its range, this species should continue to be carefully monitored.

This reef-associated species is found on sand substrata among or near rocks from shallow areas to about 185m depth, however it is most common in above 30m. Juveniles feed on benthic invertebrates (crabs, bivalves, and mysids) and rarely fish; while adults prey on fishes (especially Porichthys notatus) and also on crustaceans (Heemstra 1995).

A juvenile barred reaches sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years at a length of 7 to 10.5 in. The oldest known barred sand bass was determined to be 24 years old (California Fish and Game, 2004).

Barred sand bass gather to breed over sandy bottoms at depths of 60 to 120 ft in the late spring and summer months. Spawning occurs from April through November, usually peaking in July. Barred sand bass produce numerous small, free-drifting eggs that enter the plankton in coastal waters. In the early 1970s, evidence was presented that tumors,deformities, and other anomalies found in barred sand bass may have been linked to industrial and domestic wastes discharged into the nearshore environment. Reports of such abnormalities have decreased over the past two decades (California Fish and Game, 2004).

This species is an important game fish. Since the late 1970s, this species has consistently ranked among the top ten species in the southern California marine sport fish catch (California Fish and Game, 2004). Annual landings from all sport fishing modes (shore, pier,private boat, CPFVs, etc.) have averaged about 846,000 fish per year since 1980, with a peak landing of 2.1 million fish in 1988, and CPFV data indicates that the catch of barred sand bass generally increased from 1975 through 2001 (California Fish and Game, 2004).

Commercial fishing of this species has been prohibited in California since the 1950's. In addition, size limits of 12-inches minimum size apply for sport fishing with a bag limit of 10 Paralabrax spp. This species' distribution includes a number of Marine Protected Areas in southern California currently being developed that will offer greatly enhanced protection.